EVENTS/CALENDAR

NAACP marching later this month in honor of Freedom Day – WQKT Sports Country Radio – Wooster Ohio

What is the history behind Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.

President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was effective Jan. 1, 1863, but the news took time to travel. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, when the Union army brought word of the proclamation to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, making them among the last to be freed.

“Many blacks left. They went to Kansas, some just said, ‘I am out of here,’ and went to Mexico. People were just leaving, saying, ‘I am getting out of here, we are free,'” Asante said.

The celebration of June 19 came to be known as “Juneteenth” and grew with more participation from descendants as they treated the day as their Independence Day, according to the Texas State Library. It spread to other states and has been celebrated every year since.

June is Pride Month

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Americans. In June of 1969, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City staged an uprising to resist the police harassment and persecution to which LGBT Americans were commonly subjected. This uprising marks the beginning of a movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBT Americans.

Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBT Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.

Federal and local policies and practices are increasingly acknowledging and focusing on LGBTQ youth and numerous national advocacy and other organizations are also giving greater attention to LGBTQ youth in their work. Encouraging greater acceptance and support for all youth, including those who are or are perceived to be LGBTQ, will make communities, schools, and other settings safer, better places for all youth.

Men’s Health Month

Bringing Awareness to Men

Health Issues During the Month of June – Unicity Healthcare

June is National Men’s Health Month! This month is all about encouraging the men in your life (including you, men out there!) to take care of their bodies by eating right, exercising, and working to prevent disease. The official symbol for the month is a blue ribbon and the purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases including cancer, heart disease, and depression.

Men’s Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month, a national observance used to raise awareness about health care for men and focus on encouraging boys, men, and their families to practice and implement healthy living decisions, such as exercising and eating healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men in the United States, on average, die 5 years earlier than women and die at higher rates from the three leading causes of death, heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries. During Men’s Health Month, we encourage men to take control of their health, and for families to teach young boys healthy habits throughout childhood.

World AIDS Vaccine Day

Since the first cases of AIDS were reported in 1981, hundreds of thousands of health professionals, scientists, volunteers, and community members have worked tirelessly to combat AIDS and find an AIDS vaccine. On World AIDS Vaccine Day, May 18th, not only do we give thanks to all those who have worked to fight this disease, but we also honor all the people who have succumbed to the disease. While recent advances for AIDS vaccines have moved the needle and got us closer to a cure, we are not there yet.

The Race for an AIDS Vaccine

There have been many breakthroughs in AIDS treatments, and we are closer than ever to a vaccine, but there is still work to be done. The AIDS virus is unlike other viruses which makes developing a vaccine for it so difficult. Currently, researchers are working on different types of experimental vaccines in the hopes of finding a cure for this deadly disease.

Educating Communities

It is important to continue to educate communities on HIV and AIDS prevention. Educating under-served communities and minority populations is important to preventing HIV. Using proper protection and not sharing needles are just two things you can do to protect yourself against contracting HIV. Donating to the research for an AIDS vaccine also helps in the effort to quickly find a vaccine for the disease.

How to Celebrate World AIDS Vaccine Day

The best way you can celebrate World AIDS Vaccine Day is to not only get the word out to others but also thank those in the health industry who have worked to combat the disease. Post to your personal social media pages announcing this national awareness day and make sure you tag us at https://www.facebook.com/WestOaklandHealth. Donate on World AIDS Vaccine Day. You can make a donation here. The more awareness people can raise about finding a cure for AIDS, the faster we can find a cure.

For more information on World AIDS Vaccine Day check out this link.

West Oakland Health Council Celebrates Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day, which falls on Wednesday, May 5 in 2021, is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, a popular misconception. Instead, it commemorates a single battle. In 1861, Benito Juárez—a lawyer and member of the Indigenous Zapotec tribe—was elected president of Mexico. The country was in financial ruin after years of internal strife, and the new president was forced to default on debt payments to European governments.

In response, France, Britain, and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz, Mexico, demanding repayment. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew their forces.

France, however, ruled by Napoleon III, used the opportunity to carve an empire out of Mexican territory. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large force of troops and driving President Juárez and his government into retreat.

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